Man Charged In Connection With Farmington Crash That Killed 2 Women

FARMINGTON — An 86-year-old man is facing charges in connection with an October 2013 crash that killed his wife as well as a 27-year-old pregnant woman in another vehicle, police said.

Robert R. Carroll, of Bristol, turned himself in on Wednesday, police said. He was charged with second-degree manslaughter, two counts of third-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangerment, as well as motor vehicle offenses.

Police obtained an arrest warrant for Carroll after a lengthy investigation into the two-car crash that killed Ruth Carroll, 86, and Melinda Hart, 27, police said.

Carroll was the driver of a Buick sedan that collided with a minivan on Oct. 14 near the intersection of Route 6 and Hyde Road, according to police. Carroll's wife was riding with him.

Hart, who was eight months pregnant, and her three children were in the minivan.

After the crash, police said the initial indication was that a Buick sedan turned in front of the eastbound minivan, causing the crash.

Carroll suffered what police described as very serious injuries to his legs and lower body.

Hart's 8-year-old boy was flown to Hartford Hospital with serious injuries, police said. Her 4-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son, also passengers in the minivan, were treated for less serious injuries.